Footwear Friday – Back to basics

My entire life I’ve been the guy that wore flashy, colorful boots. When I was 12 years old and spotted Valsport’s brilliant electric yellow Fuoriclasse at the Soccer.com yardsale, I immediately fell in love with the supple kangaroo leather and impossibly loud colors. Sporting them for the first time to training, I received one warning from my coach: If I was to wear those boots, I’d have to score every time I stepped on the pitch. I rocked them for an entire season, keeping my end of the bargain, and I had a bit of a pass with colored boots from then on.

Fast forward to 15 years from then, I’m no longer *that* guy. While I still appreciate the vibrant colors many players sport on a day to day basis, I’m much more likely to slide on a pair of blacked out boots than I am to reach for a pink colorway. When I saw the third generation adidas 11pro colorway, I immediately fell in love. Pure, simple, nothing unnecessary, a modern throwback to the boots of the late 20th century. Back to basics. Perfect for a guy on the wrong side of 25, no longer with aspirations of a professional football career. Supple kangaroo leather, streamlined silhouette, and just the slightest touch of flair with the included racing stripe. This is a boot I can really sink my teeth into. What are some of your favorite minimalist boots? Let us know in the comments!

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